Will whelks harm coral?

[ACBlinky]

I was at the LFS this afternoon looking for nassarius, and they told me they had some snails that are fantastic sandbed caretakers. They were $3 each so I bought two, and I've been doing some research to make sure they're safe. Turns out these guys are whelks, and they're hungry little guys -- I just tried feeding them some blender mush and they went nuts. I know whelks will eat clams, worms, and snails, but I'm wondering if they'll bother coral. There are no snails in my 65g, just hermits, fish, rock and corals. I'm happy to feed them scallops once a week or so in return for their sand-stirring, but if they're going to munch on my coral they're going straight back to the LFS.

Here are a few pics of the whelks:
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a21/ACBlinky/Misc/P9160008Medium.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a21/ACBlinky/Misc/P9160013Medium.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a21/ACBlinky/Misc/P9160005Medium.jpg

Thanks for any information :)

Oops, I forgot... there's an urchin and a couple chitons in the tank, would the whelks prey on them?

[charlesr1958]

They look to be babylonia welks, of which I have not heard of them bothering corals, other snails / inverts would be at risk though. I doubt the urchin and chiton are at risk either. But do have to say that any predator species is a risk, I could have the same species as you and have it behave nicely, while yours of the same species would endanger the neighbors cat.

Chuck's Hitch Hikers (http://home2.pacific.net.ph/~sweetyummy42/hitchhikers.html)

[ACBlinky]

Thank you so much for the reply, having an ID means I can research these guys :)

I offered them a silverside last night and WOW can these snails eat! It took the two of them about ten minutes to make it disappear, and when they were finished they immediately returned to the sand. I don't think they're going to be a problem, but I will be keeping a close eye on them for a while.